Butterfly Biodata:
Genus: Caltoris Swinhoe, 1893
Species: malaya Evans, 1928
Wingspan of Adult Butterfly: 38-42mm
Caterpillar Local Host Plant: Bambusa heterostachya (Poaceae; common name: Malay Dwarf Bamboo).
Physical Description of Adult Butterfly:
On the upperside, the wings are dark brown with hyaline spots in spaces 2,3 and 4, subapical spots in spaces 6 and 7 and no cell spots in the forewing. Compared to the other Caltoris sp., the male is almost always missing a spot in space 1b.
On the underside, the wings are dark ferruginous in the male, and ochreous in the female.
Field Observations of Butterfly Behaviour:
The Malayan Swift is moderately rare in Singapore. Sightings of adults typically occur in forested nature reserves and wastelands where its host plant is growing. Being similar looking to other Caltoris spp. in the underside, it is usually difficult to confirm its id in the field unless a glimpse of its upperside is possible.
